Employer-assisted housing emerged as an important topic at the Creating Housing Choices 2008 Regional Conference.

Community Housing Choices, a program of Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, is co-sponsoring an Employer Assisted Housing Event in conjunction with the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce. The topic drew heavy interest at the Creating Housing Choices Regional Conference which was held in March in Traverse City.

Mark your calendars for:
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Employer-Assisted Housing Event

Location:
Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce
202 E Grandview Pkwy
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 947-5075

In a survey of employers in the Grand Traverse region, 50% considered affordable housing to be a major issue for their employees-which means that it is an issue for employers, too. High turnover is costly, and for some companies, the lack of affordable housing can affect their ability to recruit and retain employees. Productivity and attendance can suffer when much of the workforce has to make long commutes to work.

Employer assisted housing (EAH) can be a cost-effective way to recruit employees and improve employee retention, productivity, morale, attendance-and the bottom line. By encouraging employees to remain in the community and at their place of employment, companies that use EAH spend less money on recruiting and training new employees. When employees are able to purchase homes near their jobs, employers see higher productivity and fewer problems with absenteeism. With reduced commutes to work, employers, employees, and the community as a whole all benefit.

EAH has a proven track record throughout the country in improving the bottom line. On June 12, find out how EAH could work for your company. Trevor Winterrowd, from the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority (MSHDA) , will explain what EAH is, how it works, and what resources are available to help you create your own EAH program. There is no charge for this event. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to Northwest Michigan Council of Governments at (231) 929-5000.

The Northwest Michigan Regional Non-Motorized Transportation Plan and Investment Strategy Project Summit was held on February 27 at Northwestern Michigan College Great Lakes Campus, Hagerty Center, in Traverse City.

The summit brought governments, organizations, groups and stakeholders together to learn, share, and network regarding the outcome of the development of a comprehensive strategy and identification of priority projects within the 13-county region of Northwest Michigan. The draft of the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan and Investment Strategy was presented by Northwest Michigan Council of Governments regional planner, Patty O'Donnell.

The pupose of the project is to help guide the Michigan Department of Transportation's investment in a non-motorized transportation system. The counties include: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, Osceola, and Wexford.

	MDOT's technical report presented by Josh Debruyn

Josh DeBruyn, bicycle/pedestrian coordinator for the Michigan Department of Transportation presented MDOT's technical report.

Barbara Nelson Jameson of the National Parks Service provided an update on the initiative to connect Michigan trails.

The following presenters provided information and PowerPoint slides of their current trails and projects.

• Anne McDevitt, Top of Michigan Trails Council
• Russ La Rowe, Kalkaska Area Recreational Trails
• Bob Otwell, Traverse Area Recreational Trails
• Bill Olsen, Betsie Valley Trail
• Bill Manson and Bill Lucas, White Pine Trail

	Anne McDevitt, Top of Michigan Trails Council

Local elected and appointed officials, trail organizations, developers, planning and design professionals, businesses, and others who are interested in Non-Motorized Transportation were in attendance.

For more information on non-motorized transportation planning for Northwest Michigan, contact Patty O'Donnell, Regional Planner; Northwest Michigan Council of Governments at (231) 929-5000 or email: pattyodonnell@nwm.cog.mi.us.

2008 Regional Conference

	Sarah Lucas

In work centers such as Traverse City and Petoskey, the disparity between income and housing prices is driving workers out of town to rural communities. "This is a regional issue," says Sarah Lucas, coordinator of Community Housing Choices, the host organization of the conference and program of Northwest Michigan Council of Governments. "The topic of affordable housing touches on our local economy, land-use, and transportation issues."

Lucas noted that in terms of the economy, a concern of businesses, including new businesses interested in relocating to our region, is whether there is affordable housing for their employees. In terms of land-use and transportation, Lucas added, "When there is a lack of affordable housing in town, that contributes to sprawl and more traffic on roads."

Not to be confused with government-subsidized housing for the indigent poor, affordable workforce housing is not a handout or an advocacy group for those in poverty. "We're just trying to provide a level of support for the area's workforce, and that can be teachers and firefighters," stated Matt McCauley, associate director of Regional Planning and Community Development for Northwest Michigan Council of Governments. "Even city employees may not make enough to live where they work," he said, noting a recent advertisement for a firefighter's position that paid $38,000 per year.

Matt McCauley

In keeping with the rule of thumb that no more than 30% of household income should allocated to housing, this firefighter, after a down payment, could only afford to finance a $95,000 mortgage balance-not an easy home to find in town.

	Dawn Stockmo

Presentations were made by consultants from The Grand Vision, the Traverse Area Association of Realtors, Community Research Services, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, City of Traverse City, Grand Traverse Continuum of Care, and Northwest Michigan Council of Governments. The luncheon keynote was by Dawn Stockmo, a housing policy and advocacy expert currently working with the Metropolitan Planning Council in Chicago, Chicago Fair Housing Alliance, and the Green Infrastructure Foundation.

Community Housing Choices and Northwest Michigan Council of Governments wish to acknowledge event co-sponsors: New Designs for Growth, Traverse City Housing Commission, Traverse Area Chamber of Commerce, Traverse Area Association of Realtors, and Homestretch.

For more information, please visit CommunityHousingChoices.org

Old Mission Peninsula is Michigan's newest heritage route. A celebration is planned for Saturday, May 17, 2008.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG) announced that a special event will be held Saturday, May 17, to celebrate M-37's new status as a scenic heritage route. The 18-mile-long corridor, also known as the Old Mission Peninsula or Center Road, has received official designation from MDOT as a scenic heritage route, one of only five in Michigan. There is a total of 15 designated heritage routes (each designated scenic, historic, or recreational) statewide.

"This new designation will help preserve and improve the scenic, agricultural, and rural qualities of this unique northwest Michigan corridor," said Pete Hanses, manager of MDOT's Heritage Route Program.

"A concerned group of residents and township officials first met more than a decade ago to explore the possibility of this new designation. On May 17, we will celebrate their hard work and success during a ceremony open to the public."

With the creation of the M-37 Scenic Heritage Route Nominating Team, local and state officials were brought together to collect input, offer insights, and combine resources in order to develop a mission and eventually obtain designation as a heritage route. Representatives from MDOT and NWMCOG worked closely with local agencies and organizations to also develop a Heritage Route Management Plan that will be used to implement future corridor improvements.

"One of our goals is to encourage development that preserves scenic land for future generations," said Bern Kroupa, chairman of the Old Mission Peninsula Scenic Heritage Route Committee. "As in the past, we will continue to work closely with the community to monitor the route and do everything we can to preserve the qualities of our beautiful corridor."

The public is invited to the ceremony at 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, Saturday, May 17, at Fire Station #2.

A five-year recreation plan for the Village of Elberta is available for public review. 

Click Here for a copy of the plan.

A copy of the plan is also available for reviewing at the Village of Elberta offices. 

Public Comments will be taken at the April 17, 2008 Village Council meeting before the plan is presented for adoption. The Village Council meeting will be held at The Community Building, 401 First Street, Elberta, MI 49628 at 7:00 pm.

To request a hardcopy of the plan contact Sarah Merz at NWMCOG via phone at 231-929-5091 or via email at smerz@nwm.cog.mi.us.

Offered by MSU Extension and NW Michigan Council of Governments

The Northwest Michigan Council of Governments will host two educational opportunities: Planning to Prepare for the New Michigan Economy: Smart Growth/Michigan Strategic Growth and Zoning Board of Appeals Training in partnership with Michigan State University Extension. Both workshops will be held in Charlevoix, Manistee and Traverse City. The cost is $55 per person, per event, if registered prior to the event(s) you plan to attend.

Planning to Prepare for the new Michigan Economy: Smart Growth and Michigan Strategic Growth:

Charlevoix: Charlevoix Public Library, 220 W. Clinton Street, Charlevoix, Mich.: 7-9:30pm, March 4, 2008

Manistee: Manistee City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan: 6:30-9pm, Feb. 20, 2008

Traverse City: Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave, Traverse City, Michigan: 6-8:30pm, Feb. 19, 2008

Zoning Board of Appeals Training:

Charlevoix: Charlevoix Public Library, 220 W. Clinton Street, Charlevoix, Michigan: 7-9:30pm, March 19, 2008

Manistee: Manistee City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan: 6:30-9pm, March 27, 2008

Traverse City: Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave, Traverse City, Michigan: 6-8:30pm, March 18, 2008

The workshops are presented by Mr. Kurt Schindler, a specialist in land use (planning and zoning). He provides training for local government members of planning commissions, zoning boards, zoning appeals boards, and professional planners. Schindler is a member of the Michigan State University Extension Land Use Team and a member of the MSU Extension LeadNet (leadership development) team.

The curriculum for "Planning and Zoning to Prepare for the new Michigan Economy: Smart Growth and Michigan Strategic Growth" will be:

1. Review of Michigan historic economy, and past transitions.

2. The current economic transition Michigan is undergoing.

3. What to be aware of and to prepare for so a community can better prepare for the new economy.

4. Smart Growth & Michigan Strategic Growth.

5. Review of the 10 Smart Growth Tenets.

6. Review of the three elements of "Michigan Strategic Growth."

7. Example of one application: New Designs for Growth.

8. Review of Smart Growth Tool Kit (Smart Growth America)

9. Review of Smart Growth Readiness Assessment Tool.

10. Review of related Extension programs (e.g., Cool Cities, etc.)

The curriculum for "Zoning Board of Appeals Training" is:

1. The statutory requirements for a Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).

2. Duties of ZBA members.

3. The process to Make Administrative Decisions.

4. The meeting mechanics.

Local planning commissioners, elected officials, zoning administrators, professional planners, realtors, developers, lawyers, and others interested in planning or zoning will all benefit from these workshops. Master Citizen Planner Credits are available by attending both workshops.

Interested parties can obtain more information and register by contacting Matt McCauley, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments at (231) 929-5000.

Click Here to obtain a printable registration form.

Offered by MSU Extension and NW Michigan Council of Governments

The Northwest Michigan Council of Governments will host two educational opportunities: Planning to Prepare for the New Michigan Economy: Smart Growth/Michigan Strategic Growth and Zoning Board of Appeals Training in partnership with Michigan State University Extension. Both workshops will be held in Charlevoix, Manistee and Traverse City. The cost is $55 per person, per event, if registered prior to the event(s) you plan to attend.

Planning to Prepare for the new Michigan Economy: Smart Growth and Michigan Strategic Growth:

Charlevoix: Charlevoix Public Library, 220 W. Clinton Street, Charlevoix, Mich.: 7-9:30pm, March 4, 2008

Manistee: Manistee City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan: 6:30-9pm, Feb. 20, 2008

Traverse City: Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave, Traverse City, Michigan: 6-8:30pm, Feb. 19, 2008

Zoning Board of Appeals Training:

Charlevoix: Charlevoix Public Library, 220 W. Clinton Street, Charlevoix, Michigan: 7-9:30pm, March 19, 2008

Manistee: Manistee City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan: 6:30-9pm, March 27, 2008

Traverse City: Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave, Traverse City, Michigan: 6-8:30pm, March 18, 2008

The workshops are presented by Mr. Kurt Schindler, a specialist in land use (planning and zoning). He provides training for local government members of planning commissions, zoning boards, zoning appeals boards, and professional planners. Schindler is a member of the Michigan State University Extension Land Use Team and a member of the MSU Extension LeadNet (leadership development) team.

The curriculum for "Planning and Zoning to Prepare for the new Michigan Economy: Smart Growth and Michigan Strategic Growth" will be:

1. Review of Michigan historic economy, and past transitions.

2. The current economic transition Michigan is undergoing.

3. What to be aware of and to prepare for so a community can better prepare for the new economy.

4. Smart Growth & Michigan Strategic Growth.

5. Review of the 10 Smart Growth Tenets.

6. Review of the three elements of "Michigan Strategic Growth."

7. Example of one application: New Designs for Growth.

8. Review of Smart Growth Tool Kit (Smart Growth America)

9. Review of Smart Growth Readiness Assessment Tool.

10. Review of related Extension programs (e.g., Cool Cities, etc.)

The curriculum for "Zoning Board of Appeals Training" is:

1. The statutory requirements for a Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).

2. Duties of ZBA members.

3. The process to Make Administrative Decisions.

4. The meeting mechanics.

Local planning commissioners, elected officials, zoning administrators, professional planners, realtors, developers, lawyers, and others interested in planning or zoning will all benefit from these workshops. Master Citizen Planner Credits are available by attending both workshops.

Interested parties can obtain more information and register by contacting Matt McCauley, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments at (231) 929-5000.

Click Here to obtain a printable registration form.

A five-year plan for recreation in the Village of Elberta is now being prepared. A public input session has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at The Community Building to gather ideas and information about recreational interests that you would like to see included in the plan. The Village of Elberta is contracting with the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments to develop a Recreation Plan.

All are welcome to attend the Public Input Session being held:

Wednesday February 13, 2008

6:00-8:00 pm

At: The Community Building

401 First Street

Elberta, MI 49628

A Recreation Plan is a document that is prepared to assist communities in developing recreation and resource conservation goals and objectives and to establish recreation grant eligibility. The plan will be used to guide the future development of recreational facilities, opportunities and programs in the Village of Elberta. It will also be used to seek funding, including funds earmarked for implementing Recreation Plans approved by the Department of Natural Resources.

Please RSVP your attendance at the Public Input Session by contacting Sarah Merz at 231-929-5091 or via email at smerz@nwm.cog.mi.us.  For more information please contact Matt McCauley or Sarah Merz with the Northwest Michigan Council Governments at 231-929-5000.

This meeting is open to all members of the public under Michigan's open meetings act. If you are planning to attend and have a disability requiring any special assistance at the meeting, please notify the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments by the means stated above.

Over sixty people from various backgrounds such as business, local government, utilities, education, human services, associations, and private citizens attended the Northwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum's legislative dialogue on sustainable energy opportunities, renewable energy, and energy efficiency on January 21, 2008 in Traverse City.

	Representative David Palsrok

Representative David Palsrok gave an overview on the work being done on all levels for the development of a Michigan Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.

State Senator Jason Allen

Michigan State Senator Jason Allen distributed copies of proposed senate bills 583 and 584: the creation of the Michigan Next Energy Authority to promote alternative energy technology and economic growth, and to exempt property of an authority from tax, expand certain renaissance zones, and to foster economic opportunities.

Questions from the audience included the use of nuclear, incentives for businesses and residents, and education.

The Northwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum is a program of the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments.

Email Patty O'Donnell for more information or phone (231) 929-5000.